When An Italian Guy Went To Repair His Toilet, He Unearthed An Ancient Underground Complex

It’s 2001, and in the historic Italian city of Lecce, Luciano Faggiano and his sons dig through the floor of their property, searching for a broken pipe. However, as the family members remove shovels full of debris, they come across something unexpected: a false floor. And what lies underneath this structural layer will leave them – and the rest of the city – stunned.

Italy contains some 40,000 years of human history – and as a result, the country plays host to an incredible collection of ruins from eras past. Rome, for example, was established in 753 B.C. And no trip to The Eternal City would be complete without visits to its many ancient ruins from the civilization that started it all.

Perhaps the most iconic Roman relic is the Colosseum – an architectural feat that was completed in 80 A.D. In days long since past, the circular amphitheater welcomed audiences of up to 80,000 people at a time. And inside, these spectators could watch everything from gladiator fights and public executions to sea battles – with the venue, yes, sometimes flooded with water.